Umka

Umka

Year: 1969

Runtime: 10 mins

Language: Russian

Directors: Vladimir Popov, Vladimir Pekar

AnimationComedyFamily

White little bear hides from his mother friendship with a human who smells smoke.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Umka (1969)

Trace every key event in Umka (1969) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Den-building lesson

On a dark Arctic night, the mother polar bear teaches Umka how to dig and pile snow to build a sturdy den. She shows him how shelter protects them from the cold and winds. The practical lesson sets the daily rhythm of their life on the ice.

Night Snow den
2

Tale of the Fish-Sun

Before sleep, the mother tells a tale of a sad Fish-Sun trapped by a shark's teeth. She uses the story to spark Umka's imagination and to explain dangers from beyond their home. The tale blends sea imagery with the cold world they inhabit.

Night Snow den
3

Lullaby and sleep

After the tale, Umka asks whether the Sun was eaten. His mother reassures him that the Sun will appear and softly sings him a lullaby. He drifts to sleep under the quiet Arctic night.

Night Snow den
4

Morning sighting of humans

The next morning Umka notices a small camp of human reindeer herders on the ice. His mother explains that here live two-legged bears who can take off their skin, revealing a frightening otherworldly secret. The revelation marks a turning point in Umka's understanding of the humans.

Morning Ice camp
5

Attempting to imitate humans

When Umka tries to walk on hind legs, his mother notes their smell of smoke and warns him to hide his own nose. She explains that their white noses become black when exposed, giving away their presence. The lesson underscores how scent, not just appearance, marks them as different.

Morning Near camp
6

First meeting with the Chukchi boy

Umka encounters a young Chukchi boy who has just fallen from a reindeer. The boy's milk scent and lack of a tail both amuse him, until a snowball lands on Umka's snout and the boy's cap soars into the air. This playful moment makes Umka wonder if the boy has two heads.

Day Shore by reindeer
7

The plan to go to the sea

The two meet again and decide to head toward the sea. The boy stays on land because the water is too cold for him, while Umka dives into the icy shallows to explore. The bond between them deepens despite the danger.

Day By the sea coast
8

Avoiding trouble with the mother

To prevent trouble, Umka tells the boy to lie down in the snow and cover his nose with his paw. The boy crawls away just as the mother arrives, catching the scent of smoke. The moment heightens the tension between blending in and staying hidden.

Day Near sea ice
9

Distraction at the ice hole

Umka distracts his mother by pretending to spot a fish in a distant ice hole, drawing her attention away. While she goes to catch the imagined fish, the boy disappears, leaving behind his cap. Umka grabs the cap and runs to search for his friend.

Day Far ice hole
10

Loss leads to relocation

Grieved by the separation, Umka asks his mother to relocate somewhere else. She agrees, and they set off on a drifting ice floe. The mother sings the second part of their lullaby as they move across the pale, wind-washed ice.

Night Ice floe
11

Stars reveal a memory of a friend

That night, the boy looks up at the stars and sees Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. He imagines Ursa Minor as Umka, his friend waving from afar. The scene links memory, longing, and the unknown bond between bear and boy.

Night Night sky
12

The final call

The film ends with the boy calling out for Umka, his voice carrying across the ice and night. The imagined friendship lingers even as they drift apart. The ending leaves a quiet sense of connection despite distance.

Night Open ice

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:52

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